What is the message of Ephesians 3:17-19?

What is the link between Spiritual Growth, construction season, and the message of Ephesians 3:17-19??

Montreal welcomes the summer with the soothing sounds of a drill and the breaking-in of new potholes. While it is a hellish way to recover from the winter, home is where the heart belongs despite frustrating road conditions.

Every city has its own summer traditions. Annual recurrences that announce that Summer has finally arrived, school is finally out, and the sun will claim longer hours of the day. For example, some cities hold festivals on the first day of summer, others have strawberry pie-baking contests.

In Montreal, we know that summer has arrived when traffic is caused by construction projects.

There seems to be no shortage of “detour” signs because of road closures. Gravel replaces smooth asphalt and driving in any direction is an exercise in patience and/or futility. A necessary evil? Yes. How else will they will repair the roads in time to be destroyed again by the snowstorms?

Montreal roads are in perpetual search for rejuvenation, like an aging Hollywood starlet injecting the latest Botox treatment to fill in the gaps.

Closed for Renovations Alerts

Other than the roads, the construction industry goes into overdrive to complete the hundreds of projects that get delayed during the winter and spring weather fiascoes. Especially in downtown Montreal. I can’t walk 20 steps in any direction without seeing a “closed for renovations” or “closed for construction” sign. I often wish I could go around with a “closed for renovations” sign around my neck, as well.

Imagine what that would entail: people have fewer expectations of any establishment that is “closed for renovation”. They realize the product is yet to be completed, and that whatever is showing, at the present time, should not be judged yet. If I had such a sign around my neck, maybe I would lower my own expectations of my spiritual standing. Maybe I would realize that I am a work in progress and that the finished product takes a lifetime.

This brings us to the message of Ephesians 3:17-19:

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

What construction season makes me realize is God’s patience towards my shortcomings and needed repairs.

He loves me whether I am a work in progress or a finished masterpiece. For Him, my construction/renovation phase can last a lifetime instead of just one season and I would remain His daughter, every step of the way, potholes and all. For this Coptic Author, that is a road worth travelling, every day.

In Christ,

Mireille

Other posts about God’s mercy: Eliminate your doubts about God’s grace and mercy.

Additional Resources: Step by step spiritual growth- Coptic Church UK Midlands

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